Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

What does “working forest” mean and how can that be compatible with land conservation? 🤔 Under programs such as the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, it is possible for landowners to live on their property and continue a traditional use such as timber harvesting while also protecting its conservation values. 🌳 One example is Big Woods State Forest, the first state forest in southeastern Virginia, which is managed for timber while also supporting biodiversity. The state forest is part of a group of conserved lands managed by several partners working together to restore longleaf pine savannah habitat for the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker. 🌲 Partners: Virginia Department of Forestry; Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources; DCR's Natural Heritage Program; The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Photos 1-2 courtesy of the Virginia Department of Forestry Check out this Story Map for a look at 25 land conservation projects over 25 years: https://lnkd.in/gnnytfPm

Three full time opportunities: 1-Land Conservation Specialist; 2-Soil & Water Conservation District Coordinator; 3-Law Enforcement at Twin Lakes State Park. Several part-time and seasonal jobs also open, including an opportunity in the Public Communications & Marketing Office, and working at Virginia State Parks. Find the full list here: https://lnkd.in/ecj8mEt

We have embraced the United States Department of Defense SkillBridge program by employing Veterans and recognizing the value of their military experience in park operations. On Hire a Veteran Day, read about this program and staff experiences: https://lnkd.in/g9jcHQ6c

Meet Mark Killgore, the Lead Dam Safety Engineer at DCR! 🌟 Mark’s fascination with dams began as a child building them on the playground, and now he’s dedicated his career to designing and safeguarding these vital structures. 🏞️🚧 With a master’s in civil engineering focused on water resources and the environment, Mark’s impressive career includes roles with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an energy company, an engineering firm, and educating at Seattle University and the University of Texas at Austin. 🎓 His expertise in dam safety and environmental impact is crucial in protecting public safety across Virginia. At DCR, Mark works on dam safety guidance and refines regulations while supervising regional and mapping engineers. A key initiative is identifying the risks and safety measures associated with dams. He shares his knowledge broadly, speaking on engineering at local, national and international levels. 🗣️🌍 He also serves on the advisory board for the Hydropower Research Foundation and is the state representative to the Association of Dam Safety Engineers for Virginia. That's not all, learn more about Mark's career at https://lnkd.in/eabmDpWA. When he’s not engineering solutions, Mark enjoys hiking around Virginia’s beautiful reservoirs and lakes. 🥾 Did you know? Nearly every lake in Virginia is created by a dam! #DamSafety #Engineering #WaterResources

🏆 We’re thrilled to announce that both First Landing and Natural Bridge state parks have been honored as Travelers' Choice Award Winners for 2024! ✨ These parks are now in the top 10% worldwide of things to do, thanks to the positive reviews from millions of Tripadvisor travelers. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited and shared their amazing experiences. Here’s to more adventures and unforgettable moments at Virginia State Parks!

In celebration of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) funding projects for 25 years, we're featuring a funded project monthly to highlight land preservation accomplishments achieved by our state, local, tribal and nonprofit partners. ⭐ VLCF project: Charlotte State Forest, forestland preservation category Located at the confluence of Wards Ford Creek and Roanoke Creek (tributaries of the Roanoke River) the new Charlotte State Forest protects 5,004 acres of unparalleled forest habitat! 🌳 Virginia’s 26th state forest provides a unique snapshot of forest types and includes loblolly pine plantings, significant mature hardwood stands and native mixed-pine stands. 🌲 It also has 900 acres of forested wetlands, providing waterfowl habitat. 🦆 Partners: Virginia Department of Forestry and The Conservation Fund. Photos courtesy of Department of Forestry Check out this Story Map for a look at 25 projects over 25 years: https://lnkd.in/gnnytfPm

Letting this least bittern, a rare species we track, help us announce good conservation news. 📣 A 228-acre Accokeek Bottomlands parcel, where this bird has been documented, has been added to Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve. This makes the preserve now 3,343 acres, located in a rapidly developing area in northern Virginia. We are proud to ensure protection of the biodiversity in this ecologically significant upland forest and forested wetlands. 🌳🌾

Working at DCR means that you get to help save rare plants from going extinct! Zach Bradford on the Natural Heritage team did just that recently for the globally rare pondspice (Litsea aestivalis). Read about his fruitful efforts to hand-pollinate this shrub: https://lnkd.in/eSYTefpu

Our department has a breadth of roles in it, including zoologists within the Virginia Natural Heritage Program. Meet one of our new field zoologists, Andrew Rapp. He immediately jumped into the field this spring, including surveying for the Frosted Elfin—a rare butterfly. Andrew is from Charlottesville, Virginia. He's been a naturalist since he was young, with a passion for animal status and distribution and a love for Virginia’s biodiversity. He earned his degree in Biology and Environmental Science and Policy from William & Mary. Andrew is one of the top birders in Virginia—having birded in all 133 counties and cities. He is a talented field surveyor for many insect groups including Odonates (order of predatory flying insects that includes the dragonflies and damselflies) and butterflies. We're grateful to all our hard-working field staff out there during the season! Thanks for using your talents to help us protect Virginia's biodiversity. Photo: Andrew in the field holding an Eastern Kingsnake.

July 5 marks 250 years since Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Natural Bridge, setting the stage for the Bridge to be preserved in its natural state for all to experience through Virginia State Parks. Today we held a special ceremony under the bridge, see event photos. Special thanks to our speakers (Executive Director of Rockbridge Historical Society Eric Wilson; DCR Director Matt Wells; Delegate Terry Austin, VA250 Commission Chair; Park Manager Jim Jones) and the many partners who made this event possible, especially: Our team at Natural Bridge State Park Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission Rockbridge Historical Society Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism Rockbridge County Friends of Natural Bridge State Park